1Allergy and Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9DX

Correspondence to: A Sheikh Aziz.Sheikh{at}ed.ac.uk

Accepted 4 February 2009

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether filaggrin gene defects, present in up to one in 10 western Europeans and North Americans, increase the risk of developing allergic sensitisation and allergic disorders.

Data extraction Atopic eczema or dermatitis, food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis, along with relevant immunological variables relating to the risk of allergic sensitisation as assessed by either positive skin prick testing or increased levels of allergen specific IgE.

Data synthesis 24 studies were included. The odds of developing allergic sensitisation was 1.91 (95% confidence interval 1.44 to 2.54) in the family studies and 1.57 (1.20 to 2.07) in the case-control studies. The odds of developing atopic eczema was 1.99 (1.72 to 2.31) in the family studies and 4.78 (3.31 to 6.92) in the case-control studies. Three studies investigated the association between filaggrin gene mutations and allergic rhinitis in people without atopic eczema: overall odds ratio 1.78 (1.16 to 2.73). The four studies that investigated the association between filaggrin gene mutations and allergic rhinitis in people with atopic eczema reported a significant association: pooled odds ratio from case-control studies 2.84 (2.08 to 3.88). An overall odds ratio for the association between filaggrin gene mutations and asthma in people with atopic eczema was 2.79 (1.77 to 4.41) in case-control studies and 2.30 (1.66 to 3.18) in family studies. None of the studies that investigated filaggrin gene mutations and asthma in people without atopic eczema reported a significant association; overall odds ratio was 1.30 (0.7 to 2.30) in the case-control studies. The funnel plots suggested that publication bias was unlikely to be an explanation for these findings. No studies investigated the association between filaggrin gene mutations and food allergy or anaphylaxis.

Conclusions Filaggrin gene defects increase the risk of developing allergic sensitisation, atopic eczema, and allergic rhinitis. Evidence of the relation between filaggrin gene mutations and atopic eczema was strong, with people manifesting increased severity and persistence of disease. Filaggrin gene mutations also increased the risk of asthma in people with atopic eczema. Restoring skin barrier function in filaggrin deficient people in early life may help prevent the development of sensitisation and halt the development and progression of allergic disease.

Introduction

Atopic diseases, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), asthma, and allergic rhinitis have increased in prevalence in recent decades and now affect up to one in three children in economically developed countries.12 These conditions are responsible for appreciable morbidity and costs, both to people and to the state.34 The prevalence of these disorders varies worldwide and when coupled with data showing changes in prevalence over time points to the causal role of environmental factors. The key implication of this epidemiological evidence is that atopic allergic disorders should in principle be largely preventable.5

The clinical cause of atopic disorders has been described as an atopic or allergic march. This concerns sensitisation to food or aeroallergens, or both, in early life, progressing to eczema and wheeze within the first two years of life, and often leading to chronic asthma, rhinitis, and other clinical manifestations of atopic allergy in later life.

Recent reports have suggested a key role of the protein filaggrin in maintaining an effective skin barrier against the environment.6 Mutations in the profilaggrin gene resulting in loss of function are common, being present in up to 10% of western European and North American populations. This is of potential importance given that rapid screening for filaggrin gene defects is now possible through analysis of cord or fetal blood specimens or, in older infants, using buccal smears, at a reasonable although not insignificant cost (<£100; €117; $164).

Lack of expression of the protein filaggrin has been shown to predispose to the development of ichthyosis vulgaris and, more recently, atopic eczema or dermatitis.67 The filaggrin gene resides on human chromosome 1q21 within the epidermal differentiation complex, a region that also harbours genes for several other proteins that are important for the normal barrier function of the epidermis.8 The primary function of filaggrin seems to be to aggregate the epidermal cytoskeleton to form a dense protein-lipid matrix thereby regulating permeability of the skin to water and external particles such as allergens.9

Information about the association between filaggrin gene defects and allergic disorders is accruing rapidly. The initial focus was atopic eczema, which has been investigated in several studies, but to what extent do filaggrin gene defects increase this risk, and what impact, if any, do they have on the risk of developing other allergic disorders?10111213 From first principles, these gene defects should also increase the risk of developing pathophysiologically related conditions such as food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. This was, for example, suggested by a study involving a murine model of atopic eczema, which found that dysfunction of the skin barrier not only enhances sensitisation to allergens but also leads to systemic allergic responses such as increased IgE levels and airway hyperreactivity.14 These observations support the idea that absorption of allergens through the skin of patients with atopic eczema may predispose to the development of other allergic conditions.

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relation between filaggrin gene mutations, allergic sensitisation, and development of a range of atopic allergic disorders—namely, food allergy, eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis.

Methods

We considered as eligible for inclusion any type of genetic epidemiological study in humans of all ages and ethnic groups that investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and allergic sensitisation or allergic disorders. Case studies were excluded. The clinical outcome measures of interest were atopic eczema or dermatitis, food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis, along with relevant immunological variables relating to the risk of allergic sensitisation as assessed by either positive skin prick testing or increased levels of allergen specific IgE.

Search strategy

We searched Medline, Embase, ISI Science Citation Index, and BIOSIS databases from their inception to 31 December 2008. Our searches were not restricted by language, age, sex, or publication type. Search terms were “filaggrin”, OR “profilaggrin”, OR “1q21”, OR “epidermal differentiation complex”, OR “R501X”, OR “2282del4”, OR “3321delA”, OR “S2554X” AND “allergy”, OR “asthma”, OR “food allergy”, OR “atopic dermatitis”, OR “eczema”, “rhinitis”, OR “anaphylaxis”, OR “sensitisation”, OR “epidermal dysfunction” (see web extra appendix 1 for the detailed search strategy). We checked the bibliographies of included studies for additional studies, supplemented with a citation search of references using ISI Web of Knowledge.

Using the UK National Research Register, clinical trials.gov, and the Index to Theses and Digital dissertations we searched for details of unpublished, ongoing studies. We also used OpenSIGLE to search for grey literature.

Two reviewers scanned the identified articles on the basis of the title, key words, and abstract (when available). Articles were rejected on the initial screen if they failed to meet our inclusion criteria. When a title or abstract could not be rejected with certainty, the reviewers obtained a full text copy of the article for evaluation. The full text versions of all relevant articles identified by a search of references were also obtained. Two reviewers then assessed the eligibility of studies for inclusion in the review. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion.

Drawing on published guidelines for the quality assessment of genetic epidemiological studies, we developed a customised checklist for assessing the quality of the studies, considering the key variables of participant selection, validity of the approach to genotyping, population stratification, and other statistical considerations (see web extra appendix 2).1516 We contacted the authors of studies for missing information. On the basis of our assessment and prioritising the importance of internal validity, we classified studies as being of high, medium, or poor quality depending on the overall risk of drawing biased conclusions.

Data on the participants, study design, genetic polymorphisms, outcome measures, and associations were extracted using a customised data extraction sheet. We used Review Manager 4.2 (Cochrane Collaboration) and Comprehensive Meta-analysis, version 2 to analyse the data. As the two common filaggrin gene mutations R501X and 2282del4 are believed to have equivalent biological effects most of the studies analysed for a combined genotype effect along with an analysis of the two most common filaggrin gene mutations. In our meta-analyses we initially focused on the effects of these two common mutations separately and then combined.

We evaluated an overall estimate for the different outcomes for case-control studies and for family studies separately.1516 When necessary in case-control studies we calculated the odds ratios for filaggrin carriers compared with non-carriers. We used the normal approximation of the Mantel-Haenszel statistic. When there was a zero in the contingency table we added 0.5. To calculate the confidence intervals for family studies we used the formula standard error (log odds ratio)=√(1/T+1/U) (see web extra appendix 3 for a fuller explanation).

We used random effects modelling to pool the odds ratios. Study heterogeneity was investigated using the I2 statistic. If heterogeneity was detected, we investigated this by undertaking subgroup analyses when possible, focusing on the impact of study quality and disease severity as explanatory factors. Possible publication bias was assessed graphically using funnel plots. When it was not appropriate or possible to undertake meta-analyses, we described the data using a narrative approach.

Results

Overall, 24 of 319 identified papers were eligible for inclusion.w1-w24 No studies were identified that investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and the risk of developing food allergies or anaphylaxis. Figure 1⇓ describes the study selection process, and the table⇓ lists the characteristics of the included studies.

Case-control studies

Pooled data from the two case-control studiesw12 w23 gave an overall odds ratio for the combined genotype of 1.57 (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 2.07; fig 2⇓). Heterogeneity was significant (P=0.001) but could not be investigated owing to the small number of studies.

Fig 2 Association between filaggrin combined genotype (≥1 mutation) and sensitisation in case-control and family studies and between filaggrin gene mutations R501X and 2282del4 and sensitisation in family studies

Family studies

One family studyw8 analysed two different family panels and presented results for each panel as well as for the panels combined. One family studyw6 reported P values only and therefore was not included in the meta-analysis.

Pooled data for the combined genotype from the other family studies gave an overall odds ratio of 1.91 (1.44 to 2.54; fig 2). Heterogeneity was significant (I2=72.20; P<0.001). The funnel plot showed a symmetrical inverted shape, suggesting there was no major publication bias (see web extra fig A).

The overall odds ratio for the filaggrin gene mutation R501X was 2.47 (1.70 to 3.59; fig 2) and for the filaggrin gene mutation 2282del4 was 2.25 (1.85 to 2.75; fig 2). Heterogeneity was not significant (P=0.11 and P=0.83, respectively).

Atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis

Twenty case-control analysesw1-w3 w5 w7-w10 w12-w19 w21-w23 and eight familial analysesw4 w8 w12 w15 w21 w24 investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and atopic dermatitis. Most of the studies were on western European populations, but three case-control studiesw7 w18 w21 and one family studyw21 were on a Japanese population and one case-control studyw2 was on a North American population.

Case-control studies

See web table B for details of the case-control studies. The study by Sugiura et al was the first to describe the association between filaggrin and atopic dermatitis.w5 It found down-regulation of the cornified envelope genes like filaggrin in the skin of people with atopic dermatitis (P=0.035). This study was not included in the meta-analysis because it was not possible to calculate an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Four other case-control studiesw7 w8 w18 w21 were also not included in the meta-analysis. Three studies were on a Japanese population and the most common European filaggrin gene mutations R501X and 2282del4 were absent in 253 participants.w7 w18 w21 Novel filaggrin gene mutations were, however, noted in the Japanese population and a statistical association was found between these mutations and atopic dermatitis (see web extra table B).w7 w18 w21 Another studyw8 was not included in the meta-analysis because the population comprised affected and unaffected offspring from family panels in a case-control setting. The case-control studies included in the meta-analysis were all on western European or North American populations.

Using a random effects model the overall odds ratio for the combined genotype was 4.78 (3.31 to 6.92; fig 3⇓). Heterogeneity between the studies was significant (P=0.001). The funnel plot showed no obvious evidence of publication bias (see web extra fig B).

Fig 3 Association between filaggrin combined genotype (≥1 mutation), filaggrin gene mutation R501X, and filaggrin gene mutation 2282del4 and atopic dermatitis in case-control studies, including those of good and high quality and with hospital based cases, and family studies

The overall odds ratio for R501X was 4.32 (2.85 to 6.56; fig 3) and for 2282del4 was 4.61 (3.07 to 6.93; fig 3). Significant heterogeneity was observed (I2=78%, P<0.001, and I2=75%, P<0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis for the combined genotype with studies excluded that were judged to be at high risk of bias gave an odds ratio of 4.71 (3.04 to 7.31; fig 3), with evidence of significant heterogeneity still showing between studies (I2=86.0%; P<0.001).

Besides differences in quality, heterogeneity could also be explained by differences in phenotype. Additional subgroup analyses were therefore done on the basis of disease severity and persistence. Four studies investigated the association between the filaggrin combined genotype and atopic dermatitis in hospital based cases.w1 w3 w10 w16 Our assumption was that cases recruited from hospital based dermatology clinics probably had more severe atopic dermatitis than those selected from the population. The overall odds ratio for the combined genotype was 7.98 (5.35 to 11.89; fig 3); although heterogeneity was reduced it was still significant (I2=61.5%; P<0.05).

Two studiesw10 w19 investigated the association between the filaggrin combined genotype and persistent atopic dermatitis. Pooled data from these studies gave an overall odds ratio of 7.01 (5.42 to 9.07; fig 4). Heterogeneity in this subgroup analysis was not significant (P=0.54). Three case-control studiesw16 w17 w19 showed data for the association between filaggrin combined genotype and atopic dermatitis at age less than two years at onset. One studyw16 was not included in the subgroup analysis as it reported no original data for early onset atopic dermatitis. Pooling the data for the combined genotype from the two other studiesw17 w19 gave an overall odds ratio of 6.31 (4.68 to 8.49; fig 4⇓). Heterogeneity was not significant (P=0.83).

Family studies

Seven familial analyses were on western European populationsw4 w8 w12 w15 w24 and one on a Japanese population (see web extra table C for details).w21 One of the studiesw8 analysed two different family panels and presented results for the panels separately as well as combined. As the study on a Japanese population reported P values only it was not included in the meta-analysis.w21

The overall odds ratio for the combined genotype using random effects modelling was 1.99 (1.72 to 2.31; fig 4). Heterogeneity was not significant (P=0.21). The funnel plot did not suggest publication bias. The overall odds ratio for R501X was 2.44 (1.98 to 3.02; fig 3) and for 2282del4 was 2.27 (1.91 to 2.69; fig 3). Heterogeneity was not significant (P=0.46 and P=0.83, respectively).

Cohort study

One cohort studyw20 investigated the interaction between filaggrin loss of function mutations and environmental exposures in the development of eczema. The data were from two independent birth cohorts (Denmark and the United Kingdom). This study found that filaggrin mutations increased the risk of eczema during the first year of life: hazard ratios 2.26 (95% confidence interval 1.27 to 4.00) and 1.95 (1.13 to 3.36), respectively. The risk of eczema further increased with exposure to cats at birth among children with filaggrin gene mutations (hazard ratios 11.11 and 3.82, respectively). This study found that exposure to dogs was moderately protective (hazard ratios 0.49 and 0.59, respectively).

Allergic rhinitis

People without atopic dermatitis or eczema

Three case-control studies investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and the risk of developing allergic rhinitis in people without atopic dermatitis (see web extra table D).w12 w22 w23 One of these studiesw22 reported a P value (0.66) for the combined genotype only (not detailing any original data to allow calculation of odds ratios). Data were pooled from the other two studies, on German populations.w12 w23 Using a random effects model the overall odds ratio for the combined genotype was 1.78 (1.16 to 2.73; fig 5⇓).

Fig 5 Association between filaggrin combined genotype (≥1 mutations) and allergic rhinitis in people without and with atopic eczema in case-control studies and in people with atopic eczema in family studies

People with atopic dermatitis or eczema

Three case-control studiesw12 w16 w23 and two family studiesw12 w24 investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and the risk of developing allergic rhinitis in people with atopic dermatitis (see web extra table E).

All three case-control studies were on German populations. One studyw16 reported no original data for allergic rhinitis but only odds ratios adjusted for age and sex (4.04, 95% confidence 2.11 to 7.72); this study was not included in the meta-analysis. Data were pooled from the other two case-control studies.w12 w23 The overall estimated odds ratio for the combined genotype was 2.84 (2.08 to 3.88; fig 5).

One family studyw12 was on a German population and another on a Swedish population.w24 Pooled data for the combined genotype from these two studies gave an overall odds ratio of 2.46 (1.61 to 3.76).

Asthma

People without atopic dermatitis or eczema

Five case-control studiesw1 w8 w12 w22 w23 and one family studyw6 investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and asthma in people without atopic dermatitis. The five case-control studies were on western European populations, whereas the family study was on a North American population (see web extra table F). None of these studies showed a significant association between filaggrin gene defects and asthma. The family studyw6 reported an odds ratio for the combined genotype of 1.0 (0.51 to1.96; P=1.00).

Data were pooled from the case-control studies to estimate an overall odds ratio. One studyw8 was not included in this meta-analysis because the population comprised affected and unaffected offspring from family panels in a case-control setting. Another studyw22 was also not included because it reported a P value (0.15) for the combined genotype only. After pooling the data from the three remaining studies,w1 w12 w23 the overall odds ratio for the combined genotype was 1.30 (0.73 to 2.30; fig 6⇓). Heterogeneity was not significant (P=0.37).

Fig 6 Association between filaggrin combined genotype (carriage of ≥1 mutation) and asthma in people without and with atopic dermatitis in case-control studies and with atopic dermatitis in family studies, filaggrin R501X mutation and asthma in people with atopic dermatitis in family studies, and filaggrin 2282del4 mutation and asthma in people with atopic dermatitis in family studies

People with atopic dermatitis or eczema

Six case-control studies and seven family studies investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and the risk of developing asthma in people with atopic dermatitis. All the studies except one, were on western European populations; the remaining study was on a North American population.w6

Case-control studies

Web extra table G provides details of the included six case-control studies. One studyw16 was not included in the meta-analysis because the researchers reported no original data for asthma, only odds ratios adjusted for age and sex. Another studyw22 reported a P value of <0.001 for the combined genotype only. Pooled data for the combined genotype from the other four case-control studies gave an overall odds ratio of 2.79 (1.77 to 4.41; fig 6). Heterogeneity was significant (P<0.001). The funnel plot did not suggest publication bias (see web extra fig C).

Family studies

Seven family studies investigated the association between filaggrin gene defects and the risk of developing asthma in people with atopic dermatitis (see web extra table H). One studyw8 analysed two different family panels and presented results for each panel separately as well as combined.

Pooled data for the combined genotype from the family studies gave an overall odds ratio of 2.30 (1.66 to 3.18; fig 6). Heterogeneity was significant (P<0.001). Publication bias was judged to be unlikely (see web extra fig D).

An overall odds ratio for R501X was 2.30 (1.72 to 3.09; fig 6) and for 2282del4 was 2.82 (2.19 to 3.64; fig 6).

Discussion

In this systematic review and meta-analysis we found that filaggrin gene defects increase the risk of developing sensitisation, atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. The risk of those with coexistent atopic eczema developing asthma was also increased, but not those without eczema. These findings provide strong supporting evidence that, at least in a subset of those with allergic problems, the filaggrin gene defect may be the fundamental predisposing factor not only for the development of eczema but also for initial sensitisation and progression of allergic disease.

The key strengths of this work include the comprehensiveness of the searches and our assessment for a range of clinical and immunological outcome measures. This approach does, in theory at least, increase the possibility of type 1 errors, although we focused on the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of data obtained from the meta-analyses thereby allowing readers to judge for themselves the strength of the associations identified. As with all systematic reviews, we may have failed to identify some studies, particularly those with negative findings, and this might have influenced our findings. Although we attempted to assess for publication bias, we recognise that funnel plots have relatively low power to detect such bias, particularly when there are relatively few studies included in these plots, and so these need to be interpreted with caution.17

Overall this work underscores the importance of filaggrin gene defects in increasing the risk of sensitisation and the development of a range of allergic clinical phenotypes, most probably through exposure to allergens through the skin. Our findings suggest that filaggrin is a robust biomarker for allergic conditions. Given the consistency of the genetic data from epidemiological studies, we suggest that further confirmatory studies in eczema serve little purpose. A need remains, however, to understand better the possible role of filaggrin gene defects in other systemic atopic allergic disorders such as food allergy and anaphylaxis. Future population based epidemiological studies should use prospective designs categorising people on the basis of genotype; we are aware of at least one such study under way in the UK (S Mukhopadhyay, personal communication, 2009). Although family based designs are often more costly than population based studies, greater emphasis should be placed on using these as they have the advantage of being less influenced by population substructure.16 Further work also needs to focus on the mechanisms through which defective skin function impacts on the presentation of antigens and the possible associated immune modulation. Useful insights into disease pathophysiology may also be gained by studying people with filaggrin gene defects who do not develop atopy or atopic allergic conditions.9 A need also exists to investigate whether the filaggrin biomarker can be used to identify those at high risk so that preventive measures can be introduced such as interventions to restore the barrier function of the skin or measures to avoid allergens in filaggrin defective infants.

What is already known on this topic

Atopic allergic disorders affect up to a third of people worldwide

Eczema is often the herald condition in those with allergic conditions, typically beginning in the first year of life

Filaggrin gene defects, present in up to one in 10 western Europeans and North Americans, are possible predisposing factors in the development of atopic eczema

What this study adds

Filaggrin gene defects increase the risk of allergic sensitisation, suggesting that defective function of the skin barrier may be fundamental in people with allergic disorders

Filaggrin gene defects are associated with a significantly increased risk of atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma in people with eczema

Interventions to restore the barrier function of the skin or measures to avoid allergens in filaggrin defective infants need investigation

Notes

Cite this as:BMJ 2009;339:b2433

Footnotes

We thank Tjard Schermer, Chris Burton, Heather McIntosh, Marshall Dozier, Caroline van de Ven, and Christine Campbell for their support and advice, and the reviewers for their comments.

Contributors: AS conceived the study and supervised all aspects of protocol development, searches, quality assessment, data analysis, and interpretation. RAHMvdO did the searches, extracted data, and drafted the paper. Both authors are guarantors.

Funding: None.

Competing interests: None declared.

Ethical approval: Not required.

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